Ambris, Warrican back for India tour

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and opening batsman Sunil Ambris have made their return to the West Indies team, having been named in a 15-man squad to tour India in October and November.

The duo has been selected to replace fast-bowler Miguel Cummins and seasoned opener Devon Smith, who both had disappointing performances in the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

During the month-long tour, the regional team will play two Test matches, five One Day Internationals and three T20 matches.

Warrican last played for the senior squad in 2016 when the Windies toured Australia.

Jomel Warrican has been named in the West Indies squad for the first time in over two years.

The 26-year-old Barbadian has played four Tests and has taken 11 wickets, with a best bowling performance of 4-67.

Warrican has been recalled following an outstanding series against England Lions in February of this year while representing West Indies 'A'.

During that three-match home series which the Windies 'A' won 3-0, Warrican snared 31 wickets, including a best of 8-34, at an average of just 8.96.

Ambris, 25, had his short Test career halted after playing just two matches when he sustained a broken hand last December during an ill-fated test debut in New Zealand.

In those two matches, he scored just 25 runs and has an average of 8.33.

Smith's exclusion will most likely mean the end of his 15-year international career, in which he failed to live up to his full potential.

In 43 Test matches, Smith averages 23.78, with one century and eight half-centuries, while his average of 24.62 in 47 ODIs is only slightly better.

The 36-year-old Smith endured a miserable outing against Bangladesh, scoring just 76 runs in the two-match Test series, which the Windies won 2-0.

It was an equally disappointing series for Cummins, who took just six wickets in the two Test matches at an average of 13.50.

In 13 Test matches, the 27-year-old has taken just 27 wickets at an average of 37.59, while in 11 ODIs, he has nine scalps.

SQUAD: Jason Holder (captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.